A week ago, I gave my Toastmasters Icebreaker speech; my first prepared speech after almost a year of being part of Doncaster Speakers. I’ve mentioned before that joining Toastmasters – an international speaking and leadership organisation – was perhaps an odd choice of hobby for me. I have huge anxieties about public speaking. I’m fine… Continue reading Toastmasters Icebreaker
Our Table Topics theme at Toastmasters last week was based around the advice that we’d give to our 10-year-old selves, given the opportunity to go back and have a word. Table Topics are normally given quickly, moments before having to stand up and speak with no preparation. They’re about as ‘life on the edge’ as… Continue reading Most Important Advice
Competition season is with us again, and I’m so pleased that we’re now spending our weekend evenings with the curtains closed and one of the talent shows on the telly – X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing are both getting into their stride, and Mike’s re-discovered his talent for acting as a fifth judge. He… Continue reading Toastmasters and Competition Season
“So, have you volunteered to do your speech yet?” There had been a flurry of emails last week about the planning of last night’s Toastmasters session; up until the middle of the week, there hadn’t been any speeches scheduled. And I’d happened to mention to Mike that I’d had an email about it. Toastmasters is… Continue reading Planning my First Speech
I went along as a guest of our local Toastmasters group this evening. I’d been looking for a bit of something to do outside of work and decided that it sounded like this might be the thing. I’ve also been attempting to get myself started on blogging again; for the past couple of months I’ve… Continue reading Joining Toastmasters